Ambro j



(NoModeL) A. J. NORTHGRAFT.

RACK.

No. 512,739. Patented Jan. 16,1894.

Wilqesses I WW f' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AMBRO J. NORTHCRAFT, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

RACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 512,739, dated January 16, 1894'.

Application filed September 8, 1893. Serial No- 486,104. (No model.)

Tp a/ZZ whom it may concern:

' Be it known that I, AMBRO J. NORTHCRAFT, acitizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Rack, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in racks; the objects in view being to provide a rack adapted for drying clothes or displaying articles for sale; to render the same adjustable so as to be capable of being packed flat for shipping and storage; to adapt the rack to be suspended or supported upon the ground, as desired; and for indoor or outdoor use.

. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the claims. Referring to the drawingsz-Figure l is a perspective view of a rack embodying my invention, the same being shown open and suspended. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the lower portion of the rack. Fig. 3 is a detail in perspective of the lower end of the rack, the same being arranged in operative position- Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of' the drawings.

In the practice of my invention I employ a vertical rod or standard 1, the same having 1ts upper end terminating in a hook 2, and by which .it may be suspended from any suitable support; and below the hook provided with a stop or shoulder .3. On this standard I arrange a series of loose arms 4, the same being centrally perforated to receive the standard and provided upon their under sides with space-blocks 6, or enlargements, so that the outer ends of the arms do not contact. These arms I preferably provide at one side of their centers upon one of their faces with staples 6 and connect the entire series by means of a limiting cord 7 which will permit each arm to turn a slight distance farther than the arm below or in advance thereof, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. These arms are maintained in position upon the standard by means of a nut 8, for the reception of which the lower end of the standard is threaded. This threaded lower end also passes through a pair of aligning perforations 9, formed in the upper sides of a pair of U shaped swiveled supporting-legs 10, below which said nut 8, is located upon the standard. By tightening this nut the legs may be held immovable, and thus may be locked either in alignment or at an' angle to each other.

In the former position they are inoperative and in the latter position they are operative and designed to support the rack. The legs of course are of no use when the rack is supported from the upper end, unless the support, to be hereinafter described, is lowered, so as to permit the legs to rest upon the ground.

It will be understood that the rack may be supported or placed in position in a yard, store, drying-room, kitchen, or other place, and upon its location will depend to some extent the manner of its support. I prefer, however, to employ a supporting-post 13, the same having at its upper end a horizontal arm 14, having a brace 15. An eye or pulley 16, is located at the end of the arm, and similar eyes or pulleys 17 and 18 are located respectively at the upper and lower ends of the post. A suspension-rope 19, is passed through the eyes 18, 1'7, and 16, and beyond the latter is provided with a ring 20, designed to engage the hook 2 of the rack in a detachable manner. By means of this hoisting-device the rack may be raised and lowered to and from the ground in a manner that will be obvious.

It will be seen that my rack may have its arms swung into alignment with each other as also may its legs, as heretofore described,

and the whole set against the wall or suspended from a nail upon the wall, as may be desired, and when it is not in use will be out of the way and occupy no floor-space.

I do not limit my invention to the precise details of construct ion herein shown and described, but hold that I may vary the same to any degree and extent within the knowledge of the skilled mechanic.

The rack will be found convenient for dry ing both large and small articles of clothes after washing; and also, for displaying various kinds of goods inquantities in stores, and I therefore do not limit my invention to the use to which the device may be put.

Having described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a rack, the combination with a vertical standard, of a series of arms swiveled thereon, and a connecting-rope throughout the series for limiting the swing thereof, substantially as specified.

2. In a rack, the combination with'a vertical standard, of a series of arms swiveled thereon, and a rope connecting loosely a pinrality of said arms for limiting their separa-, tion, substantially as specified.

3. In a rack, the combination with a standard terminating at its lower end in legs and at its upper end in a hook, of a series of intermediate swiveled arms arranged thereon, and a hoisting-device for the rack, substantially as specified.

4:. The combination with the post having an arm, guide-eyes,and theoperating ropepassed through the guide-eyes, of a standard having an upper bent end, a ring arranged on the rope for engaging the standard, a serles of arms swiveled on the standard, and feet at the lower end of the standard, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

AMBBO J. NORTHORAFT.

Witnesses:

ANNIE L. MILLER, SAMUEL T. NORTHORAFT. 

